⛷️ A Beginner's Guide to Skiing in China
- Pompeii
- Mar 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 3
Why Ski in China?
At the start of 2026, we decided to explore skiing for the first time. Living in Hong Kong, Japan is the obvious short‑trip choice, but we wanted something different. That’s when we turned our attention to China.
China’s ski resorts have grown viral, with destinations spread across several regions:
🏔️ Northwest China (Xinjiang)
Imagine endless natural snow stretching across dramatic mountain ranges. The season here is long, and the scenery feels wild and untouched, perfect if you want to combine skiing with adventure.
Hidden in the mountains of Fuyun County, Koktokay is one of Xinjiang’s rising stars for skiing.
✨ Northeast China (Dongbei)
The grand old name of Chinese skiing. Yabuli is home to Club Med, offering that polished, all‑inclusive experience.
🏂 Beijing and Hebei
An Olympic venue that’s beginner‑friendly yet stylish. With flexible lodging and even an onsen to soak in after skiing, Thaiwoo feels like a balanced choice for a short getaway.
These regions all have their appeal, but many are far from Hong Kong. With only 3–4 days available, we needed somewhere accessible, beginner‑friendly, and worth the travel time.
Ski Holiday in China: Yabuli vs Thaiwoo
Planning a ski holiday in China can feel overwhelming, especially for people who tries to balance travel time, cost, and comfort.
For our first ski trip, we narrowed it down to two resorts on our list: Club Med Yabuli in Harbin and Thaiwoo in Chongli, just outside Beijing.
Travel time: ~7 hours each way from Hong Kong (flight + train + car).
Cost: HKD 19,868 for two people (2 nights, all‑inclusive).
Features: Premium Club Med service, all meals included, group ski lessons at no extra cost.
Travel time: ~5.5 hours each way from Hong Kong (flight + train + car).
Cost: HKD 8,760–11,860 for two people (depending on coach choice and nights).
Features: Flexible lodging, cheaper gear rental, private coaching options (Chinese or foreigner coach), and an onsen to unwind after skiing.
For a short holiday (3-4 days), Thaiwoo offers the best balance: shorter travel, lower costs, and the bonus of an onsen. It’s foreigner‑friendly with coaching options, and the flexibility makes it easier to tailor the trip. Club Med Yabuli, on the other hand, is perfect if you want the premium, all‑inclusive experience and don’t mind the longer journey or higher price.
✨ Foreigner‑friendly tip: If you’re new to skiing in China, Thaiwoo’s private coaching (especially with a foreigner coach) can make the learning curve smoother, while the onsen adds a relaxing cultural touch to your trip.